U.S. patent application number 16/569998 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-18 for ecosystem-based wireless network setup.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sling Media L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Vikal Kumar Jain.
Application Number | 20210084466 16/569998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004366233 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210084466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jain; Vikal Kumar |
March 18, 2021 |
ECOSYSTEM-BASED WIRELESS NETWORK SETUP
Abstract
Various arrangements for configuring wireless network access for
a first wireless device using a previously-configured second
wireless device are presented. The first wireless device may output
a temporary wireless network hotspot and advertise an identifier. A
second wireless device may search for and identify the first
wireless device based on the advertised identifier. The second
wireless device may connect with the temporary wireless network
hotspot and provide wireless network credentials for a wireless
network for which the second wireless device has previously been
granted access. The first wireless device may then establish a
network connection with the wireless network based on the wireless
network credentials transmitted by the second wireless device.
Inventors: |
Jain; Vikal Kumar; (Foster
City, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sling Media L.L.C. |
Foster City |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004366233 |
Appl. No.: |
16/569998 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 9/3271 20130101;
H04W 4/50 20180201; H04W 8/005 20130101; H04L 2209/80 20130101;
H04L 9/3215 20130101; H04W 8/245 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/50 20060101
H04W004/50; H04W 8/00 20060101 H04W008/00; H04W 8/24 20060101
H04W008/24; H04W 12/06 20060101 H04W012/06; H04L 9/32 20060101
H04L009/32 |
Claims
1. A method for configuring wireless network access, the method
comprising: (1) determining, by a first wireless device, that the
first wireless device requires network credentials; (2) in response
to determining that the first wireless device requires wireless
network credentials, creating, by the first wireless device, a
temporary wireless network hotspot; (3) advertising, by the first
wireless device, an identifier of the temporary wireless network
hotspot; (4) searching, by a second wireless device, for eligible
wireless devices that require wireless network configuration; (5)
identifying, by the second wireless device, the temporary wireless
network hotspot based on the advertised identifier; (6)
establishing, by the second wireless device, a wireless connection
with the temporary wireless network hotspot in response to
identifying the advertised identifier; (7) transmitting, by the
second wireless device, wireless network credentials for a wireless
network for which the second wireless device has previously been
granted access; and (8) establishing, by the first wireless device,
a network connection with the wireless network based on the
wireless network credentials transmitted by the second wireless
device.
2. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
1, further comprising: in response to establishing the wireless
connection with the temporary wireless network hotspot,
authenticating the first wireless device.
3. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
2, wherein authenticating the first wireless device comprises:
encrypting, by the second wireless device, a challenge value;
transmitting, by the second wireless device, the challenge value to
the first wireless device via the temporary wireless network
hotspot; decrypting, by the first wireless device, the challenge
value using a stored private key; and transmitting, by the first
wireless device, the decrypted challenge value to the second
wireless device via the temporary wireless network hotspot.
4. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
3, wherein authenticating the first wireless device further
comprises: determining, by the second wireless device, that the
first wireless device is authenticated based on the decrypted
challenge value matching the challenge value.
5. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
2, wherein authenticating the first wireless device comprises:
encrypting, by the second wireless device, a challenge value using
a shared secret key, wherein the shared secret key is stored onto
the first wireless device and the second wireless device during
manufacture; transmitting, by the second wireless device, the
challenge value to the first wireless device via the temporary
wireless network hotspot; decrypting, by the first wireless device,
the challenge value using the shared secret key; and transmitting,
by the first wireless device, the decrypted challenge value to the
second wireless device via the temporary wireless network
hotspot.
6. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
5, wherein authenticating the first wireless device further
comprises: determining, by the second wireless device, that the
first wireless device is authenticated based on the decrypted
challenge value matching the challenge value.
7. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
1, further comprising: deactivating, by the first wireless device,
the temporary wireless network hotspot in response to receiving the
wireless network credentials for the wireless network for which the
second wireless device has previously been granted access.
8. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
1, further comprising: receiving, by the second wireless device,
permission from a user to configure eligible wireless devices,
wherein, in response to receiving the permission, steps (4) through
(8) are performed without user input.
9. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
1, wherein the temporary wireless network hotspot and the wireless
network are Wi-Fi networks.
10. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
9, wherein the identifier of the temporary wireless network hotspot
is a first service set identifier (SSID) and the wireless network
credentials comprise: a second SSID; and a password.
11. The method for configuring the wireless network access of claim
10, wherein: the first wireless device is an over-the-air (OTA)
television channel receiver that is electrically connected with an
OTA antenna to receive broadcast television channels and transmit
packetized broadcast television channels via the wireless network;
and the second wireless device is an OTA streaming device that
receives the broadcast television channels via the wireless network
and outputs the broadcast television channels to a television.
12. A system that configures wireless network access, the system
comprising: a first wireless device, comprising: a first wireless
network interface; and one or more processors, wherein the one or
more processors are configured to: determine that the first
wireless device requires network credentials; in response to
determining that the first wireless device requires wireless
network credentials, create a temporary wireless network hotspot
using the first wireless network interface; advertise an identifier
of the temporary wireless network hotspot; and establish a network
connection with a wireless network based on wireless network
credentials received from a second wireless device; and the second
wireless device, comprising: a second wireless network interface;
and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to: (1) search, using the second wireless network
interface, for eligible wireless devices that require wireless
network configuration; (2) identify the temporary wireless network
hotspot based on the advertised identifier; (3) establish, using
the second wireless network interface, a wireless connection with
the temporary wireless network hotspot in response to identifying
the advertised identifier; and (4) transmit the wireless network
credentials for the wireless network for which the second wireless
device has previously been configured.
13. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 12,
wherein the one or more processors of the second wireless device
are further configured to: in response to establishing the wireless
connection with the temporary wireless network hotspot,
authenticate the first wireless device.
14. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 13,
wherein: the one or more processors of the second wireless device
are further configured to: encrypt a challenge value; transmit, via
the second wireless network interface, the challenge value to the
first wireless device via the temporary wireless network hotspot;
and the one or more processors of the first wireless device are
further configured to: decrypt the challenge value using a key; and
transmit the decrypted challenge value to the second wireless
device via the temporary wireless network hotspot.
15. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 14,
wherein the one or more processors of the second wireless device
are further configured to: determine that the first wireless device
is authenticated based on the decrypted challenge value matching
the challenge value.
16. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 12,
wherein the one or more processors of the first wireless device are
further configured to: deactivate, using the first wireless network
interface, the temporary wireless network hotspot in response to
receiving the wireless network credentials for the wireless network
for which the second wireless device has previously been granted
access.
17. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 12,
wherein the one or more processors of the second wireless device
are further configured to: receive permission from a user to
configure eligible wireless devices, wherein, in response to
receiving the permission, actions (1) through (4) are performed
without user input.
18. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 17,
wherein the one or more processors of the second wireless device
are further configured to: in response to the permission from the
user and prior to establishing the wireless connection with the
temporary wireless network hotspot, disconnect from the wireless
network.
19. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 12,
wherein: the temporary wireless network hotspot and the wireless
network are Wi-Fi networks; and the identifier of the temporary
wireless network hotspot is a first service set identifier (SSID)
and the wireless network credentials comprise: a second SSID; and a
password.
20. The system that configures wireless network access of claim 12,
wherein: the first wireless device further comprises: one or more
over-the-air (OTA) television tuners; and an OTA antenna port,
wherein: the one or more processors of the first wireless device
are further configured to receive broadcast television channels via
the OTA antenna port and the one or more OTA television tuners and
cause packetized broadcast television channels to be transmitted
via the first wireless network interface using the wireless network
to the second wireless device; and the second wireless device is an
OTA streaming device that comprises a high definition multimedia
interface (HDMI) port, wherein the OTA streaming device receives
the broadcast television channels via the wireless network and
outputs the broadcast television channels to a television via the
HDMI port.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Setting up a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, on a
wireless device for the first time can be inefficient and
frustrating for a user. Setup can be especially frustrating if the
wireless device being configured does not have a convenient user
interface to enter wireless network credentials. For instance, a
headless wireless device may not directly provide a user interface
that allows for network credentials to be provided.
SUMMARY
[0002] Various embodiments are described related to a method for
configuring wireless network access. In some embodiments, a method
for configuring wireless network access is described. The method
may include determining, by a first wireless device, that the first
wireless device requires network credentials. The method may
include, in response to determining that the first wireless device
may require wireless network credentials, creating, by the first
wireless device, a temporary wireless network hotspot. The method
may include advertising, by the first wireless device, an
identifier of the temporary wireless network hotspot. The method
may include searching, by a second wireless device, for eligible
wireless devices that require wireless network configuration. The
method may include identifying, by the second wireless device, the
temporary wireless network hotspot based on the advertised
identifier. The method may include establishing, by the second
wireless device, a wireless connection with the temporary wireless
network hotspot in response to identifying the advertised
identifier. The method may include transmitting, by the second
wireless device, wireless network credentials for a wireless
network for which the second wireless device has previously been
granted access. The method may include establishing, by the first
wireless device, a network connection with the wireless network
based on the wireless network credentials transmitted by the second
wireless device.
[0003] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the
following features: in response to establishing the wireless
connection with the temporary wireless network hotspot,
authenticating the first wireless device. Authenticating the first
wireless device may include encrypting, by the second wireless
device, a challenge value. The method may include transmitting, by
the second wireless device, the challenge value to the first
wireless device via the temporary wireless network hotspot. The
method may include decrypting, by the first wireless device, the
challenge value using a stored private key. The method may include
transmitting, by the first wireless device, the decrypted challenge
value to the second wireless device via the temporary wireless
network hotspot. Authenticating the first wireless device may
further include determining, by the second wireless device, that
the first wireless device may be authenticated based on the
decrypted challenge value matching the challenge value.
Authenticating the first wireless device may include encrypting, by
the second wireless device, a challenge value using a shared secret
key. The shared secret key may be stored onto the first wireless
device and the second wireless device during manufacture. The
method may include transmitting, by the second wireless device, the
challenge value to the first wireless device via the temporary
wireless network hotspot. The method may include decrypting, by the
first wireless device, the challenge value using the shared secret
key. The method may include transmitting, by the first wireless
device, the decrypted challenge value to the second wireless device
via the temporary wireless network hotspot. Authenticating the
first wireless device may further include determining, by the
second wireless device, that the first wireless device may be
authenticated based on the decrypted challenge value matching the
challenge value. The method may further include deactivating, by
the first wireless device, the temporary wireless network hotspot
in response to receiving the wireless network credentials for the
wireless network for which the second wireless device has
previously been granted access. The method may further include
receiving, by the second wireless device, permission from a user to
configure eligible wireless devices. The temporary wireless network
hotspot and the wireless network may be Wi-Fi networks. The
identifier of the temporary wireless network hotspot may be a first
service set identifier (SSID) and the wireless network credentials
may include: a second SSID; and a password. The first wireless
device may be an over-the-air (OTA) television channel receiver
that may be electrically connected with an OTA antenna to receive
broadcast television channels and transmit packetized broadcast
television channels via the wireless network. The second wireless
device may be an OTA streaming device that receives the broadcast
television channels via the wireless network and outputs the
broadcast television channels to a television.
[0004] In some embodiments, a system that configures wireless
network access is described. The system may include a first
wireless device. The first wireless device may include a first
wireless network interface. The first wireless device may include
one or more processors. The one or more processors may be
configured to determine that the first wireless device requires
network credentials. The one or more processors, in response to
determining that the first wireless device requires wireless
network credentials, may create a temporary wireless network
hotspot using the first wireless network interface. The one or more
processors may be configured to advertise an identifier of the
temporary wireless network hotspot. The one or more processors may
be configured to establish a network connection with a wireless
network based on wireless network credentials received from a
second wireless device. The second wireless device may include a
second wireless network interface and one or more processors. The
one or more processors may be configured to search, using the
second wireless network interface, for eligible wireless devices
that require wireless network configuration. The one or more
processors may be configured to identify the temporary wireless
network hotspot based on the advertised identifier. The one or more
processors may be configured to establish, using the second
wireless network interface, a wireless connection with the
temporary wireless network hotspot in response to identifying the
advertised identifier. The one or more processors may be configured
to transmit the wireless network credentials for the wireless
network for which the second wireless device has previously been
configured.
[0005] Embodiments of such a system may include one or more of the
following features: the one or more processors of the second
wireless device may be further configured to, in response to
establishing the wireless connection with the temporary wireless
network hotspot, authenticate the first wireless device. The one or
more processors of the second wireless device may be further
configured to encrypt a challenge value. The one or more processors
of the second wireless device may be further configured to
transmit, via the second wireless network interface, the challenge
value to the first wireless device via the temporary wireless
network hotspot. The one or more processors of the first wireless
device may be further configured to decrypt the challenge value
using a key. The one or more processors of the first wireless
device may be further configured to transmit the decrypted
challenge value to the second wireless device via the temporary
wireless network hotspot. The one or more processors of the second
wireless device may be further configured to determine that the
first wireless device may be authenticated based on the decrypted
challenge value matching the challenge value. The one or more
processors of the first wireless device may be further configured
to deactivate, using the first wireless network interface, the
temporary wireless network hotspot in response to receiving the
wireless network credentials for the wireless network for which the
second wireless device has previously been granted access. The one
or more processors of the second wireless device may be further
configured to receive permission from a user to configure eligible
wireless devices. The one or more processors of the second wireless
device may be further configured to, in response to the permission
from the user and prior to establishing the wireless connection
with the temporary wireless network hotspot, disconnect from the
wireless network. The temporary wireless network hotspot and the
wireless network may be Wi-Fi networks. The identifier of the
temporary wireless network hotspot may be a first service set
identifier (SSID) and the wireless network credentials may
comprise: a second SSID; and a password. The first wireless device
may further include one or more over-the-air (OTA) television
tuners. The first wireless device may further include an OTA
antenna port. The one or more processors of the first wireless
device may be further configured to receive broadcast television
channels via the OTA antenna port and the one or more OTA
television tuners and may cause packetized broadcast television
channels to be transmitted via the first wireless network interface
using the wireless network to the second wireless device. The
second wireless device may be an OTA streaming device that
comprises a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port. The
OTA streaming device may receive the broadcast television channels
via the wireless network and may output the broadcast television
channels to a television via the HDMI port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
system for performing remote wireless network setup.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a streaming over-the-air (OTA) system
that performs remote wireless network setup.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user
interface that a user can use to initialize setup of a remote
wireless device.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user
interface after wireless setup of remote wireless device has been
successfully completed.
[0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of a method for
performing wireless network setup using a wireless device on which
the wireless network has previously been successfully set up.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] A user may have a wireless device that requires network
credentials in order to access a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi
network that uses an IEEE 802.11 protocol. The wireless device may
not have a convenient (or any) user interface that allows a user to
provide the network credentials, such as an SSID (service set
identifier) and password. For example, the wireless device may be a
headless device that does not have a display or user interface. A
headless wireless device may function without a graphical user
interface or may not have a direct output that can be rendered on a
display device, such as a television. Rather, a headless device may
receive input and provide output through other interfaces such as a
network interface or a serial port. Alternatively, the available
user interface may be relatively inconvenient, such as an on-screen
keyboard that would require navigation using a cursor or arrow keys
on a remote control.
[0012] By leveraging a first wireless device, such as a streaming
device, that has previously been set up for communication on a
wireless network, a second wireless device, such as an over-the-air
(OTA) receiver (which may be headless) can be easily configured.
The first wireless device may detect or receive input indicating
that a new second wireless device needs to be configured to
communicate using the wireless network. The first wireless device
may disconnect from the wireless network and search for a temporary
hotspot being advertised by the second wireless device. The first
wireless device may connect with the temporary hot spot,
authenticate the second wireless device, and provide wireless
network credentials. Such an arrangement can help prevent a user
from manually needing to provide wireless network credentials to
the second wireless device.
[0013] Further detail is provided in relation to the figures. FIG.
1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a system 100 for
performing remote wireless network setup. System 100 can include:
wireless device 110; wireless device 120; wireless access point
(AP) 130; and the Internet 140. Wireless device 110 can represent a
wireless device that is initially set up to have access to AP 130,
such as by a user manually selecting or entering an SSID of AP 130
and a password (collectively referred to as the network
credentials). Wireless device 120 does not initially have network
credentials for AP 130 and may receive the network credentials from
wireless device 110 automatically.
[0014] AP 130 may be a wireless router or a dedicated access point.
AP 130 may communicate using an IEEE 802.11 communication protocol,
which can also be referred to as Wi-Fi.TM.. In order to access an
IEEE 802.11 wireless network, a wireless device may require a
network identifier, referred to as an SSID, and a password. Some
wireless networks broadcast their SSIDs while others require that
the correct SSID be supplied by the device attempting to join the
wireless network. In other embodiments, AP 130 may use a wireless
communication protocol other than Wi-Fi. AP 130 may be connected
with the Internet 140 via an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
[0015] Wireless device 110 may include processing system 112;
authentication data 115; wireless interface 116; network
credentials 117; and user interface 118. Wireless device 110 may
have a relatively convenient user interface 118. For example, a
streaming media player connected to a television, a smart
television, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a gaming device may
function as wireless device 110. Wireless device 110 can have a
touchscreen display that allows a user to type directly on a
touchscreen keyboard. Client devices may additionally or
alternatively may output a graphical user interface (GUI) for
presentation on another device. For instance, a streaming media
player may output a GUI to a television for presentation. A user
may interact with the GUI via a remote control or smart phone.
[0016] Processing system 112 may include one or more processors.
Processing system 112 may include one or more special-purpose or
general-purpose processors. Such special-purpose processors may
include processors that are specifically designed to perform the
functions detailed herein. Such special-purpose processors may be
ASICs or FPGAs which are general-purpose components that are
physically and electrically configured to perform the functions
detailed herein. Such general-purpose processors may execute
special-purpose software that is stored using one or more
non-transitory processor-readable mediums, such as random access
memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid
state drive (SSD).
[0017] Application 114 may be executed using processing system 112.
The code for application 114 may be stored using one or more
non-transitory processor-readable mediums, such as a non-transitory
processor-readable medium that is used to store authentication data
115, network credentials 117, or both. Application 114 can
represent an application that is installed on wireless device 110
by a user or is part of an operating system or software package
that comes installed on wireless device 110. Application 114 may be
an application used to set up wireless device 120. For instance,
application 114 may be an application released by a manufacturer of
wireless device 120 that is available for download by a user from
an online app store or comes pre-installed on wireless device
110.
[0018] Wireless interface 116 may be an IEEE 802-11 (Wi-Fi)
wireless interface that can communicate with various Wi-Fi access
points, such as AP 130. Wireless device 110 may receive, such as
via user interface 118, wireless network credentials for use in
connecting with AP 130 via wireless interface 116. Communication
path 151 represents wireless interface 116 communicating with AP
130. A user may supply an SSID (or other form of wireless network
identifier) and a password (if the wireless network is password
protected). The SSID, password, or both may be stored to network
credentials 117. Network credentials 117 may be stored using a
non-transitory processor-readable medium. Application 114 may be
permitted to retrieve network credentials 117 as needed. The
network credentials supplied by a user may also be provided to an
operating system executed by processing system 112. In some
embodiments, the operating system executed by processing system 112
may maintain control over wireless interface 116 such that only the
operating system can directly control wireless interface 116
connecting to a wireless network.
[0019] Wireless device 120, which needs to receive wireless network
credentials in order to join the wireless network of AP 130, may
include: processing system 122; wireless interface 126; and
authentication data 125. Processing system 122 may include one or
more processors. Processing system 122 may include one or more
special-purpose or general-purpose processors. Such special-purpose
processors may include processors that are specifically designed to
perform the functions detailed herein. Such special-purpose
processors may be ASICs or FPGAs which are general-purpose
components that are physically and electrically configured to
perform the functions detailed herein. Such general-purpose
processors may execute special-purpose software that is stored
using one or more non-transitory processor-readable mediums, such
as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive
(HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).
[0020] When processing system 122 determines that either no
wireless credentials have been provided or no wireless network is
available, processing system 122 may cause wireless interface 126
to function as a temporary hotspot. Wireless interface 126, which
can communicate using IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), may advertise an SSID
(or other form of identifier) and allow other devices, such as
wireless device 110, to connect. The SSID or other form of
identifier output by wireless device 120 may be a string of
characters that identify wireless device 120 as a device that is
eligible to receive wireless network credentials from wireless
device 110. For instance, wireless device 110 and wireless device
120 may be provided by a same manufacturer. The SSID may be a
string of characters or contain a string of characters that can
signal to wireless device 110 that wireless device 120 should be
provided wireless network credentials.
[0021] Wireless device 110 may disconnect from AP 130 and connect
with the temporary hotspot advertised by wireless interface 126,
thus causing data to be transmitted across communication path 152.
In some embodiments, this communication path may be established
using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.RTM., or some other wireless communication
protocol that allows for device-to-device communication.
Authentication data 115 may be used by processing system 112 to
confirm that wireless device 120 is a device that should be
permitted access to AP 130. For instance, authentication data 115
may be used to determine that wireless device 120 is an authentic
device manufactured by the same manufacturer as wireless device
110. Authentication data 125 may be stored using a non-transitory
processor-readable medium. Authentication data 125 may be used to
perform authentication with wireless device 110. For instance,
authentication data 125 may be used to answer a challenge from
wireless device 110. Authentication data 125 could include a
private key, shared key, or some other form of encryption data.
[0022] After wireless device 110 and wireless device 120 have
completed authentication, network credentials 117 may be provided
via wireless interface 116 directly to wireless interface 126 via
communication path 152. Processing system 122 may then cause
wireless interface 126 to use the received wireless credentials to
join AP 130 and communicate via communication path 153.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates system 200 that can perform remote
wireless network setup. System 200 can represent an embodiment of
system 100. In system 200, OTA streaming media player 220 can
function as wireless device 110 and OTA receiver 210 can function
as wireless device 120. OTA receiver 210 can be a computerized
device that receives broadcast OTA television channels that are
broadcast on VHF or UHF frequency bands, packetizes the received
OTA television channels, and transmits to OTA streaming media
player 220. OTA streaming media player may receive such a
packetized broadcast television channel via network 240 and may
output the broadcast OTA television channel for output to
television 230. Therefore, OTA streaming media player 220 can be
used to output broadcast OTA television channels to television 230
despite the antenna only being connected with a remote device. A
user may first configure OTA streaming media player 220. OTA
streaming media player 220 may output a GUI for presentation to
television 230. A user interface, such as an on-screen keyboard may
be used to provide wireless credentials to OTA streaming media
player 220. Such wireless network credentials may permit OTA
streaming media player 220 to successfully access the Internet 250
and communicate with other devices connected with AP 240.
[0024] OTA receiver 210 may be a headless device that does not have
a user interface that allows a user to easily provide input. OTA
receiver 210 may require wireless network credentials for AP 240 in
order to be able to communicate with OTA streaming media player 220
via AP 240. As detailed in relation to FIG. 1, OTA streaming media
player 220 can search for a temporary hotspot created by OTA
receiver 210, connect, perform authentication, and provide wireless
network credentials for AP 240.
[0025] OTA receiver 210 may be electrically connected with OTA
antenna 215. OTA antenna 215 may be used to receive multiple
locally-broadcast television channels, such as VHF and UHF digital
and analog broadcast television channels. Broadcast antennas 270
may be used to broadcast television channels over a given
geographic area. OTA antenna 215 may receive one or more of these
broadcast television channels. OTA receiver 210 may include one or
more tuners that can each be tuned to a broadcast television
channel. After OTA receiver 210 has been provided credentials for
AP 240, OTA receiver 210 can transcode and packetize one or more
broadcast television channels received via OTA antenna 215 and
transmit the packetized broadcast television channel to OTA
streaming media player 220 via AP 240. OTA streaming media player
220 can then output the packetized television channel for
presentation via television 230.
[0026] OTA streaming media player 220 may be further configured to
receive content from streaming content server 260 via Internet 250
and AP 240. Therefore, OTA streaming media player 220 may be able
to output streams of OTA broadcast television channels from OTA
receiver 210 and streaming content received via Internet 250 from
streaming content server 260.
[0027] In some embodiments, a remote server, which may be part of
streaming content server 260 or a separate system, may receive and
store wireless network credentials. In such an arrangement, if a
user orders a new wireless product, such as OTA receiver 210 from a
manufacturer linked with the remote server, the wireless network
credentials may come pre-loaded on the new wireless product such
that it is ready to connect with the wireless network when powered
up.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 300 of a graphical user
interface 310 that a user can use to initialize setup of a remote
wireless device. Embodiment 300 represents a graphical user
interface 310 that can be output by a wireless device to obtain
authorization to provide wireless network credentials to another
device. Referring to FIG. 1, GUI 310 may be output by wireless
device 110. If a user provides an affirmative response, wireless
credentials may be transmitted to wireless device 120. If the user
provides a negative response, no wireless credentials may be
provided. Referring to FIG. 2, GUI 310 may be output by OTA
streaming media player 220 to television 230 for display. User
input may be provided via an input device, such as a remote control
or mobile device executing a remote control application, to OTA
streaming media player 220. Alternatively, input may be provided to
television 230 which can then transmit the input to OTA streaming
media player 220. If a user provides an affirmative response,
wireless credentials may be transmitted to OTA receiver 210 via a
hot spot created by OTA receiver 210.
[0029] In another embodiment, a previously-configured wireless
device may auto-detect an unconfigured wireless device that is
advertising a pre-defined identifier in the broadcasted SSID's
name. For instance, a device may create a Wi-Fi hotspot that uses a
fixed set of characters as a prefix (or other form of character
string), such as "OTA receiver". The previously-configured device
may be programmed to identify this prefix (or other form of
character string) and output an indication as to whether the
identified new wireless device should be configured using the same
wireless network credentials.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment 400 of a graphical user
interface 410 after wireless setup of remote wireless device has
been successfully completed. GUI 410 may be presented after the
wireless device that requires wireless credentials has successfully
received the wireless credentials and has successfully joined the
wireless network. Referring to FIG. 1, wireless device 120 may use
the received wireless credentials to join the wireless network of
AP 130. Wireless device 110 may then output GUI 410. Referring to
FIG. 1, wireless device 120 may use the received wireless
credentials to join the wireless network of AP 130. Wireless device
110 may then output GUI 410.
[0031] Various methods may be performed using the systems and
interfaces detailed in relation to FIGS. 1-4. FIGS. 5A and 5B
illustrate an embodiment of a method 500 for performing wireless
network setup using a wireless device on which the wireless network
has previously been successfully set up. Method 500 may be
performed using system 100, system 200, or some other similar
system that includes a wireless device that needs wireless
credentials. Method 500 may be used to set up a Wi-Fi (or IEEE
802.11) wireless network for a wireless device. In other
embodiments, a different type of wireless network may be set
up.
[0032] At block 505, a wireless device that requires wireless
network credentials (referred to as an "unconfigured wireless
device") may determine that a wireless network configuration
process is needed. Block 505 may be based on the unconfigured
wireless device not having any stored wireless credentials or its
stored wireless credentials do not permit it to access any
currently-available wireless network. In response to block 505, a
temporary wireless network hotspot may be created at block 510. The
temporary wireless network hotspot may allow other devices to
connect and communicate directly with the unconfigured wireless
device. The temporary wireless network hotspot can include an
identifier of the hotspot being advertised at block 515. For a
Wi-Fi hotspot, an SSID may be transmitted as the wireless network
hotspot identifier. Other wireless devices within range can search
for advertised SSIDs.
[0033] At block 520, an indication that the unconfigured wireless
device needs to be configured may be received by the
previously-configured wireless device. The previously-configured
wireless device has stored wireless network credentials that the
previously-configured wireless device can use to communicate with
the wireless network. Block 520 can include a user providing input
that says a device needs to be initially configured or updated.
Alternatively, block 520 may include the previously-configured
wireless device searching for identifiers (e.g., SSIDs) indicative
of an unconfigured wireless device. In some embodiments, at block
525, an interface may be presented to obtain user permission to use
wireless network credentials used to configure the
previously-configured wireless device to configure the unconfigured
wireless device. An example of such an interface is presented in
embodiment 300 of FIG. 3. This block may serve as a security step
to ensure that the user desires to share wireless network
credentials with a new device. If the user does not want to
transmit the wireless network credentials, a user may be provided
with the option of performing a manual setup procedure instead.
[0034] At block 530, a search for eligible wireless devices that
require wireless network configuration may be performed. In some
embodiments, block 530 is performed in place of block 520 to
automatically detect when an unconfigured wireless device is in
need of configuration. At block 530, a search may be performed of
wireless networks that broadcast identifiers (SSIDs). The search
may involve the previously-configured wireless device searching the
broadcast identifiers for: 1) a particular string of characters; 2)
a string of characters that falls within a particular range; or 3)
a string of characters that, when decrypted, is indicative of a
device needing configuration. At block 535, the temporary wireless
network hotspot may be identified as having been advertised by an
unconfigured wireless device. In some embodiments, the
previously-configured wireless device and the unconfigured wireless
device are manufactured by the same company or are part of a
consortium that permits the sharing of wireless network
credentials.
[0035] At block 540, a wireless connection may be established with
the temporary wireless network hotspot. Since it may only be
possible to be connected with a single wireless network at a given
time, the previously-configured wireless device may disconnect from
a wireless network in order to be able to connect with the
temporary wireless network hotspot. At block 545, the unconfigured
wireless device may establish the wireless communication connection
with the previously-configured wireless device. As part of block
545, the unconfigured wireless device may cease to advertise or
accept connections from other wireless devices. Therefore, while
the previously-configured wireless device is connected, no
additional wireless devices may be permitted to connect with the
unconfigured wireless device via the temporary wireless network
hotspot.
[0036] At blocks 550-565, an authentication process may be
performed between the previously-configured wireless device and the
unconfigured wireless device. This process may authenticate the
unconfigured wireless device as being eligible to obtain wireless
credentials. This process may also authenticate the
previously-configured wireless device such that the unconfigured
wireless device can trust received wireless credentials. Various
forms of authentication may be performed, such as involving
shared-secret encryption or public-private key pairs. The
previously-configured wireless device may initiate authentication
at block 550 by transmitting an encrypted challenge via the
temporary hotspot to the unconfigured wireless device. At block
555, the challenge may be received by the unconfigured wireless
device and processed. Using a stored key or some other form of
secret information, the unconfigured wireless device may create an
answer to the challenge. Method 500 continues on FIG. 5B. At block
560, the answer to the challenge may be transmitted at block 560.
At block 565, the previously-configured wireless device may
evaluate the answer to determine if the unconfigured wireless
device is authenticated. A similar process may be performed to
authenticate the previously-configured wireless device to the
unconfigured wireless device.
[0037] Assuming that authentication is successful, method 500
proceeds to block 570. At block 570, wireless network credentials
that have previously been stored may be accessed. The wireless
network credentials may have been stored when the
previously-configured wireless device was configured for wireless
network access. For instance, an application being executed by the
previously-configured wireless device to set up the unconfigured
wireless device may have stored wireless network credentials, such
as an SSID and a password. At block 575, the wireless network
credentials may be transmitted, possibly in an encrypted format.
The wireless network credentials may be received at block 580.
[0038] In response to successfully receiving the wireless network
credentials, the configured wireless device may deactivate the
temporary wireless network hotspot. The previously-configured
wireless device may disconnect from the temporary wireless network
hotspot and may reconnect to the wireless network for which the
unconfigured wireless device is in the process of being
configured.
[0039] At block 585, the unconfigured wireless device may use the
received wireless network credentials to connect with the wireless
network. If the connection is successful, a network status message
may be transmitted at block 590 to the previously-configured
wireless device via the wireless network with which a connection
was established at block 585. An interface such as presented in
embodiment 400 may be presented by the previously-configured
wireless device at block 595.
[0040] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are
examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add
various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in
alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an
order different from that described, and/or various stages may be
added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with
respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other
configurations. Different aspects and elements of the
configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,
technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and
do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.
[0041] Specific details are given in the description to provide a
thorough understanding of example configurations (including
implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without
these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,
processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown
without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the
configurations. This description provides example configurations
only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or
configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of
the configurations will provide those skilled in the art with an
enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various
changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
[0042] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is
depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process
may have additional steps not included in the figure. Furthermore,
examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or
any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware,
middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to
perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory
computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may
perform the described tasks.
[0043] Having described several example configurations, various
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be
used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For
example, the above elements may be components of a larger system,
wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify
the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be
undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are
considered.
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